Firefighters battle second west Belfast 5G mast fire in a week: ‘I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is'
The PSNI and Northern Ireland Fire Service responded to reports of a fire in the Stewartstown Road area shortly before 12:30am on Wednesday, June 11.
Sergeant Burns said: "We attended this alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service who worked to extinguish the blaze of a 5G mast tower which had been set alight deliberately.
"This is just one of a number of 5G masts that have been set on fire in recent months and we have attended two fires in less than a week to masts in the same area.'
Sergeant Burns said those setting 5G masts alight are putting themselves and members of the public at risk.
He added: "I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is lighting fire to electrical equipment. Anyone setting an illegal fire is acting extremely recklessly and putting not only themselves, but also members of the public, at risk.
'The damage caused costs the mast-owners a substantial amount of money to correct, and affects the mobile phone service of the local community."
News Catch Up - Wednesday 11th June 2025
The attack brings the total number of 5G masts destroyed in the west Belfast area over the past two years to more than thirteen.
It follows a 5G mast in the Poleglass area being set alight at the weekend.
Two fire appliances and an aerial platform were tasked to the blaze in the Springbank Industrial estate in west Belfast at around 2.30pm on Saturday.
A survey carried out by Sinn Féin, published in the Andersonstown News in May, revealed that 87 percent of people in west Belfast reported that their phone signal was poor or very poor.
Only three percent of the 2,600 respondents stated their signal was good or excellent.
The report listed the top three areas for poor signal across West Belfast as being the Glen Road, Turf Lodge, and Andersonstown areas.
A police investigation into the attacks on 5G masts remains ongoing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Bomb squad called to Belfast Islamic Centre after suspect device is hurled inside in ‘vile attack'
A man linked to a security alert at the Belfast Islamic Centre claimed he was "trying to save the world'. It is understood the incident occurred between 10pm and 10.30pm last night in the University Road area of south Belfast. Staff at the Islamic Centre told the Belfast Telegraph that a device was thrown inside the building. The centre had to be evacuated, disrupting evening prayers. A video from the first floor of the centre, seen by this newspaper, shows a man reaching into the building. One witness said he saw flames as the suspect allegedly attempted to set fire to the site. "I saw the flames in his hand from above but couldn't capture it in the video," they said. A pedestrian walking by stopped the suspect from doing any damage. A clip of the incident shows the young man grabbing the suspect and pulling him away. The suspect can be heard telling the pedestrian that he was "trying to save the world" as he was being dragged away. "He was the first to stop him," the witness continued. "Only then did we reach there." Officers subsequently arrested the man and cordoned off the site to conduct further investigations. A spokesperson for the Islamic Centre today said they strongly condemned the 'vile attack'. 'During evening prayers last night, one of the windows was broken and a device was thrown inside the building. 'Everyone was evacuated from the building and the police were quick to respond. 'We were unable to continue night prayers as the whole area was cordoned off and nobody was allowed near the building. 'A bomb squad eventually removed the device in the early hours of this morning. 'We have had incidents in the past but nothing of this kind.' "I think he'd be very well qualified": Leo Varadkar on Colum Eastwood Irish presidential run The PSNI has been contacted for comment. Overnight, the PSNI said officers dealt with a security alert in the area. 'Police are currently at the scene of a security alert at University Road in south Belfast. A number of cordons are in place in the vicinity,' it said. 'A 34-year-old man has been arrested and is currently in custody. 'Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time.'
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Police issue fresh appeal over Ballymena riots
The PSNI said they would like to speak with these people, in connection with their ongoing investigation into a number of incidents of disorder and attacks on police officers since Monday, June 9. 'We are asking these individuals to come forward to police, or anyone who can assist in identifying these individuals should contact us on 101, or directly on 02890922815,' the PSNI said. 'If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, this can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at:
BBC News
15 hours ago
- BBC News
Ballymena: More photos released by police after recent disorder
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has released images of two more people they would like to speak to about the recent disorder in are asking the individuals in the photographs to come forward themselves, or for anyone who can assist in identifying them to contact violence began following a peaceful protest in Ballymena and then spread to other areas of Northern Ireland, including Larne and happened hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena. They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and solicitor said they would be denying the charges.A peaceful protest was held on Monday 9 June, but after it dispersed rioting broke out.A number of nights of violence then followed in which 64 police officers were a statement on Friday night, a PSNI spokesperson said "anyone who can assist in identifying these individuals should contact us on 101, or directly on 02890922815".
